Circle 2: Abraham's Smile
- 1000 Abrahamic Circles
- Sep 19, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 16
19/08/2019 - 08/09/2019
Members
Rabbi Henoch Dov “Howard” Hoffman
Teacher of Torah, Kabbalah, Jewish History and
Talmud in Denver and Boulder, USA
Father Gligorije Marković
Chaplain General of the Republic of Serbia
Ustadz Muhammad Abdullah Syukri
Lecturer at Pondok Buntet Pesantren, Cirebon, Indonesia
Project Report
Conclusion of the Journey
The second circle of the 1000 Abrahamic Circles attempt in bringing three religious leaders of the Abrahamic faiths on a three-weeks journey has gone successfully. “Abraham’s Smile” invited participants with generational gaps which allowed them to acquire a deeper and more substantial debate on theology and religion in the public sphere as they would mostly feel connected when they talk about those related subjects.
With the generational gaps, the circle members were able to fully represent an interaction between peoples that are, in many ways, holding totally different world views, values and social backgrounds between themselves.
Despite that, pre and post circle surveys showed different results compared to the previous circle, “Genesis”.
In most of the questions, Circle Members chose to stick to their original opinion that they had before the program. Though at some point, circle members have had an increased sense of empathy and awareness on issues concerning other Abrahamic faiths, attending the circle did not necessarily change some of their original perceptions of peoples from other Abrahamic faiths. Presumably it is influenced by their academic and critical approach on religious issues. Which made it hard for them to shift their opinion or to generalize a particular condition in the face of the new situations and conditions that they encountered.
It is shown from their public discourse that the circle members have gained deep appreciation of each other’s cultural and religious understanding. Rabbi Hoffman, for instance, highlighted his experience in meeting two Jewish sisters in Jakarta who live with courage in the face of isolation from the dominance of the Muslim. He also highlighted the strong presence of religious culture in Cirebon as he thought that Indonesians have great respect for the elders and teachers. On an on, each member has been very appreciative and cooperative in terms of respecting each other’s traditions as well as religious and cultural values. The program activities are regarded as a way to bridge differences, reduce tension and create understanding as well as common grounds. As Ustadz Syukri mentioned during the second circle public discussion,
“Why do people hate each other? Because they have never interacted, they have never ever had a conversation with each other, so this project is really good because it opens our eyes. Because this gives me occasions to communicate with Jewish and Orthodox Christians”
Post-circle interfaith peace building has also been done effectively. Not long after the circle ended, Rabbi Hoffman opened a new class that combined a textual study of the Koran, the New Testament and the Tanakh, involving all the three Abrahamic religions. As well as Father Gligorije who got invited to talk at one of the TV programs in Serbia regarding his experience in our circle and Ustad Syukri who continues to spread the message of tolerance and empathy to his students and congregants at his boarding school.
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